Kevin Ball
@stairway-to-kevin.bsky.social
normalize not normalizing the new normal
the pandemic is now
hypermaskuline energy since 2020
i pity the fools but i do not suffer them Ⓥ 🇨🇦
the pandemic is now
hypermaskuline energy since 2020
i pity the fools but i do not suffer them Ⓥ 🇨🇦
Pinned
Kevin Ball
@stairway-to-kevin.bsky.social
· Nov 24
New research shows younger and middle-aged adults have worse long COVID symptoms than older adults
New study from Northwestern Medicine finds symptoms occurred regardless of mild or severe COVID-19 infection
news.nm.org
1/ if you truly believe in #consent you’re wearing an n95 in public indoor and crowded spaces. no one—especially those more vulnerable than you—is consenting to breathing in your COVID air, which can disable them or, yes, kill them. you may feel it’s 100% fine. it’s not.
news.nm.org/new-research...
news.nm.org/new-research...
what’s with the explosion of in-flight selfies lately? i don’t get it, and just find it grating because barely anyone posting one is masked. why is this something anyone’s supposed to be excited about?
November 30, 2025 at 6:05 AM
what’s with the explosion of in-flight selfies lately? i don’t get it, and just find it grating because barely anyone posting one is masked. why is this something anyone’s supposed to be excited about?
the host of CBC radio’s flagship science show was struck with apparent wonder when he asked this on the *fifth* anniversary of the pandemic. and then? it was monday again. that’s a serious problem
November 29, 2025 at 10:07 PM
the host of CBC radio’s flagship science show was struck with apparent wonder when he asked this on the *fifth* anniversary of the pandemic. and then? it was monday again. that’s a serious problem
Reposted by Kevin Ball
I was delighted to join the great @DaniAtomicus on her stellar podcast Public Health is Dead. Kayli Jamison, a Long COVID activist in Canada who I much admire, was also featured.
I encourage you all to listen & subscribe to support this excellent work.
www.publichealthisdead.com/episodes/bad...
I encourage you all to listen & subscribe to support this excellent work.
www.publichealthisdead.com/episodes/bad...
Bad Press — Public Health is Dead
Coming Soon
www.publichealthisdead.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I was delighted to join the great @DaniAtomicus on her stellar podcast Public Health is Dead. Kayli Jamison, a Long COVID activist in Canada who I much admire, was also featured.
I encourage you all to listen & subscribe to support this excellent work.
www.publichealthisdead.com/episodes/bad...
I encourage you all to listen & subscribe to support this excellent work.
www.publichealthisdead.com/episodes/bad...
“…lied to by omission by our govts and public health …”
and our media—including the CBC itself
bsky.app/profile/stai...
and our media—including the CBC itself
bsky.app/profile/stai...
Sadly, people have been lied to by omission by our govts and public health and they don’t know that no one fully recovers from Covid.
“There is no such thing as a COVID infection without consequence.”
— David Putrino, Long Covid researcher
www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks...
“There is no such thing as a COVID infection without consequence.”
— David Putrino, Long Covid researcher
www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks...
Beyond long COVID — how reinfections could be causing silent long-term organ damage | CBC Radio
Scientific evidence is painting an unsettling picture: COVID infections, even if mild or asymptomatic, may be causing long-term cellular and organ damage, as well as increasing your risk of developing...
www.cbc.ca
November 29, 2025 at 8:21 AM
“…lied to by omission by our govts and public health …”
and our media—including the CBC itself
bsky.app/profile/stai...
and our media—including the CBC itself
bsky.app/profile/stai...
Reposted by Kevin Ball
How has the media contributed to manufacturing consent for COVID to be “over” (and the decline of public health in general)? New episode ft. @juliadoubleday.bsky.social and @wanderingkayli.bsky.social as well as some comments from former COVID-19 Technical Lead at the WHO, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove
In the editing room! 🎙️ Bad Press: how the media manufactures consent in the era of COVID. Public health is often in the news but it’s not always covered well. Power influences the narratives we hear from outlets and journalists. Coming soon w/ Julia Doubleday + Kayli Jamieson. Don’t miss it! 🩷💚💀
November 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
How has the media contributed to manufacturing consent for COVID to be “over” (and the decline of public health in general)? New episode ft. @juliadoubleday.bsky.social and @wanderingkayli.bsky.social as well as some comments from former COVID-19 Technical Lead at the WHO, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove
“… coerced infection—the complete lack of mitigation and the normalization of mass and repeated infection of a debilitating virus—is ubiquitous throughout society.“
open.substack.com/pub/jacobsch...
open.substack.com/pub/jacobsch...
Our Culture of Coerced Infection
“You Do You”—unless you are trying to protect yourself from Covid
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:35 AM
“… coerced infection—the complete lack of mitigation and the normalization of mass and repeated infection of a debilitating virus—is ubiquitous throughout society.“
open.substack.com/pub/jacobsch...
open.substack.com/pub/jacobsch...
last on the idiot zickgraf—but you gotta ❤️ the mission statement for the rag hosting his latest screed, “the last covidians”:
UNHERD (get it?) “…is for people who dare to think for themselves. when the herd takes off in one direction, what do you do?”
they re-alived irony just to slay it again
UNHERD (get it?) “…is for people who dare to think for themselves. when the herd takes off in one direction, what do you do?”
they re-alived irony just to slay it again
November 26, 2025 at 6:28 AM
last on the idiot zickgraf—but you gotta ❤️ the mission statement for the rag hosting his latest screed, “the last covidians”:
UNHERD (get it?) “…is for people who dare to think for themselves. when the herd takes off in one direction, what do you do?”
they re-alived irony just to slay it again
UNHERD (get it?) “…is for people who dare to think for themselves. when the herd takes off in one direction, what do you do?”
they re-alived irony just to slay it again
please spare a thought for ryan zickgraf today. apparently shitting on the disabled, medically vulnerable and anyone endeavouring to protect their and others’ health in the face of widespread denial is “a tough one to write for many reasons”—because he might get pushback.
keeeeRYST what an asshole
keeeeRYST what an asshole
November 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
please spare a thought for ryan zickgraf today. apparently shitting on the disabled, medically vulnerable and anyone endeavouring to protect their and others’ health in the face of widespread denial is “a tough one to write for many reasons”—because he might get pushback.
keeeeRYST what an asshole
keeeeRYST what an asshole
get off xitter, yes. but also get off meta (FB, threads, IG, whatsapp). just get off.
GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF
GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF
Instagram’s former head of safety and well-being Vaishnavi Jayakumar testified the company had a “17x” strike policy for accounts that engaged in the trafficking of humans for sex.
“You could incur 16 violations and upon the 17th violation, your account would be suspended"
time.com/7336204/meta...
“You could incur 16 violations and upon the 17th violation, your account would be suspended"
time.com/7336204/meta...
7 Allegations Against Meta in Newly Unsealed Filings
Court filings allege Meta tolerated sex trafficking, hid harms to teens, and prioritized growth over user safety for years.
time.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:35 AM
get off xitter, yes. but also get off meta (FB, threads, IG, whatsapp). just get off.
GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF
GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF
not only “does not lead”, the word COVID does not once appear in this article
There is no such thing as an intelligent report on increasing school absences due to chronic illness and mental health issues that does not lead with a discussion of the out-of-control virus that causes chronic illness and mental health issues.
@cbcnews.ca has seriously weird biases about COVID. 🙄
@cbcnews.ca has seriously weird biases about COVID. 🙄
November 23, 2025 at 5:57 PM
not only “does not lead”, the word COVID does not once appear in this article
Reposted by Kevin Ball
There is no such thing as an intelligent report on increasing school absences due to chronic illness and mental health issues that does not lead with a discussion of the out-of-control virus that causes chronic illness and mental health issues.
@cbcnews.ca has seriously weird biases about COVID. 🙄
@cbcnews.ca has seriously weird biases about COVID. 🙄
November 23, 2025 at 6:49 AM
There is no such thing as an intelligent report on increasing school absences due to chronic illness and mental health issues that does not lead with a discussion of the out-of-control virus that causes chronic illness and mental health issues.
@cbcnews.ca has seriously weird biases about COVID. 🙄
@cbcnews.ca has seriously weird biases about COVID. 🙄
“Canada was never going to quit the US overnight or outright, and that wasn’t Carney’s promise.”
but …
“Is the plan really to watch as America both crumbles and claims divine right—and keep bargaining with it, hat in hand?”
thewalrus.ca/carney-promi...
but …
“Is the plan really to watch as America both crumbles and claims divine right—and keep bargaining with it, hat in hand?”
thewalrus.ca/carney-promi...
Carney Promised Defiance. All We’re Getting Is Deference | The Walrus
How far are we willing to go to preserve our relationship with the US?
thewalrus.ca
November 23, 2025 at 6:02 AM
“Canada was never going to quit the US overnight or outright, and that wasn’t Carney’s promise.”
but …
“Is the plan really to watch as America both crumbles and claims divine right—and keep bargaining with it, hat in hand?”
thewalrus.ca/carney-promi...
but …
“Is the plan really to watch as America both crumbles and claims divine right—and keep bargaining with it, hat in hand?”
thewalrus.ca/carney-promi...
if you think i look silly and scared in my n95 you should see how you look with your whole-ass head buried in the sand HIYOOOOOOOOO
a man in a suit and tie stands in front of a curtain with his arm outstretched
Alt: johnny carson capping off the punchline to a joke with one of his signature golf swings on “the tonight show”
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:38 AM
if you think i look silly and scared in my n95 you should see how you look with your whole-ass head buried in the sand HIYOOOOOOOOO
i am not (by far) the smartest in my social circle.
nor am i the bravest (again, not by a long shot).
but for reasons i cannot grasp, i’m one of very few willing to acknowledge the serious threat that sars-2 continues to pose to all of us—and to act accordingly.
i hope one day to understand why
nor am i the bravest (again, not by a long shot).
but for reasons i cannot grasp, i’m one of very few willing to acknowledge the serious threat that sars-2 continues to pose to all of us—and to act accordingly.
i hope one day to understand why
November 22, 2025 at 6:08 AM
i am not (by far) the smartest in my social circle.
nor am i the bravest (again, not by a long shot).
but for reasons i cannot grasp, i’m one of very few willing to acknowledge the serious threat that sars-2 continues to pose to all of us—and to act accordingly.
i hope one day to understand why
nor am i the bravest (again, not by a long shot).
but for reasons i cannot grasp, i’m one of very few willing to acknowledge the serious threat that sars-2 continues to pose to all of us—and to act accordingly.
i hope one day to understand why
Reposted by Kevin Ball
Bill Cassidy: “We’re all trying to find the guy who did this” 😒
November 21, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Bill Cassidy: “We’re all trying to find the guy who did this” 😒
nuzzi couldn’t have said it better herself
(so didn’t)
(so didn’t)
![highlight [mine] from kabas’s article:
“It belies an attitude of ‘maybe if I craft this artfully enough, my mortifying actions will have been worth something.’”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:umlonvwdiqpxeq4nxfzmvrst/bafkreidwn7rrzfvymz2y3iwd2dyn7ggbitucemmurxjbjsajoczwgzob5q@jpeg)
![highlight [mine] from vanity fair’s excerpt of nuzzi’s forthcoming book:
“I mean to tell you that this is more meaningful and more meaningless than you might think.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:umlonvwdiqpxeq4nxfzmvrst/bafkreib72tlpl2xzvimm7y34346b73cex4rtb7d2mcnthhyqr6qhak62pq@jpeg)
November 19, 2025 at 5:49 AM
nuzzi couldn’t have said it better herself
(so didn’t)
(so didn’t)
if you profess to be a champion of inclusivity and disability rights but you spurn “COVID is not over” people and dismiss their calls to wear a respirator in public indoor or crowded spaces, your mask is off—in more ways than one
November 19, 2025 at 2:58 AM
if you profess to be a champion of inclusivity and disability rights but you spurn “COVID is not over” people and dismiss their calls to wear a respirator in public indoor or crowded spaces, your mask is off—in more ways than one
dunno how she could’ve been more explicit. and yet …
If you're posting tributes to Alice Wong but aren't wearing a well fitted respirator indoors when sharing air with people outside your household AND outdoors when it's crowded than I think you misunderstood the assignment.
You care about others?
Prove it.
Wear a mask.
You care about others?
Prove it.
Wear a mask.
November 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM
dunno how she could’ve been more explicit. and yet …
oh WELL, if he said it himSELF
Mike Johnson: "Democrats are trying to use the Epstein matter as a political weapon to distract from their own party's failures. In a desperate attempt, they're trying to somehow tie President Trump to the scandal. President Trump has nothing to do with it. He said himself he has nothing to hide."
November 18, 2025 at 9:08 PM
oh WELL, if he said it himSELF
“things happen”
Just the president of the United States rationalizing that a Washington Post reporter was basically asking to be murdered and cut to pieces with a bone saw because of his reporting.
As he sits next to the thug who ordered it.
As he sits next to the thug who ordered it.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 8:26 PM
“things happen”
the pretzels people twist themselves into to justify their lack of COVID precautions while trying to uphold their self-image as progressive—valuing inclusivity, social justice and scientific awareness—defy the bounds of routine mental gymnastics.
i’d honestly be impressed if i weren’t so disturbed
i’d honestly be impressed if i weren’t so disturbed
a man in a red outfit is doing a trick on a stage with a star in the background
Alt: a contortionist in a red outfit twisting his body into a pretzel onstage at “america’s got talent” or some such show
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:14 AM
the pretzels people twist themselves into to justify their lack of COVID precautions while trying to uphold their self-image as progressive—valuing inclusivity, social justice and scientific awareness—defy the bounds of routine mental gymnastics.
i’d honestly be impressed if i weren’t so disturbed
i’d honestly be impressed if i weren’t so disturbed
Reposted by Kevin Ball
“She explained how much Covid could hurt her & how vulnerable it felt to be unable to wear a mask to protect herself.
She was a perfect example of why other people need to wear masks even if they don’t personally think Covid will hurt them”
If you want to honour Alice Wong’s memory, please mask up
She was a perfect example of why other people need to wear masks even if they don’t personally think Covid will hurt them”
If you want to honour Alice Wong’s memory, please mask up
Thank You Alice Wong
Alice Wong has passed away and the disability community has lost a leader. I lost a mentor and a friend. The Disabled Ginger wouldn't exist without Alice and everything she taught me.
www.disabledginger.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:48 AM
“She explained how much Covid could hurt her & how vulnerable it felt to be unable to wear a mask to protect herself.
She was a perfect example of why other people need to wear masks even if they don’t personally think Covid will hurt them”
If you want to honour Alice Wong’s memory, please mask up
She was a perfect example of why other people need to wear masks even if they don’t personally think Covid will hurt them”
If you want to honour Alice Wong’s memory, please mask up
removed P1 of this post earlier today b/c a commenter falsely assumed the group i screenshotted (they’d disabled all comments) was joking about the death of alice wong & replies went off the rails. but the dismissiveness re: ongoing mitigation efforts that prompted my post is nonetheless problematic
you don’t get to indulge in whataboutism as an excuse to not do anything.
stop insisting COVID-aware folk want you to shut down the world. we’re asking you to open it up—for everyone.
so be a big boy/girl: wear a mask, and it you want to help disabled people, take a cue from the late alice wong:
stop insisting COVID-aware folk want you to shut down the world. we’re asking you to open it up—for everyone.
so be a big boy/girl: wear a mask, and it you want to help disabled people, take a cue from the late alice wong:
November 17, 2025 at 5:20 AM
removed P1 of this post earlier today b/c a commenter falsely assumed the group i screenshotted (they’d disabled all comments) was joking about the death of alice wong & replies went off the rails. but the dismissiveness re: ongoing mitigation efforts that prompted my post is nonetheless problematic
Reposted by Kevin Ball
We weren’t talking about Alice Wong. Our friend’s literal stalker/abuser died - more than one person dies in a week. Alice was a lion, her loss is enormous.
November 16, 2025 at 5:09 PM
We weren’t talking about Alice Wong. Our friend’s literal stalker/abuser died - more than one person dies in a week. Alice was a lion, her loss is enormous.